The Burren, a great rocky expanse in Ireland's County Clare, is one of the world's truly unique places. Its ancient, awe inspiring stone structures hold secrets from the past that may never be unraveled. Closer to home, The Burren, Irish Pub and Restaurant in Somerville's Davis Square, is now one of Boston's truly unique places. It captures the mythical nature of its namesake with a rich old world feel that takes hold and slowly pulls you toward another time. Open since January 1996, the Burren's history reaches back farther than that. It is actually the realization of a dream shared by two young Irish musicians, Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello. Tommy and Louise began playing together nearly 10 years earlier. Today people can gather to enjoy a drink, the warmth of good friends and the excitement of live traditional Irish music, in the Burren, a dream come true.

Redbones is a happy-go-lucky playground for carnivores on the prowl. This Davis Square landmark is possibly the most famous barbecue joint in Boston, it's almost always packed to the gills with people lingering over their pulled pork, ribs, all impeccably slow-cooked. Come prepared for a long wait, which you can spend quite happily in Underbones, the basement bar under Redbones. This mecca of meat is no place for herbivores: about the only vegetarian offering is cornbread, and even that is thoroughly permeated with the aroma of freshly grilled flesh. Heaping full dinners with ribs, sausage, or an assortment of other meats, plus 2 sides and a dessert, run $15-$22. Go with your instincts in ordering, and feel free to point at what your neighbor is having. Come only with good friends who don't mind you using your hands. Redbones Goes Green: The owners at Redbones are committed to running a greener, cleaner restaurant. They're partnered with Green Grease Monkey of Boston to have their old fryer oil recycled and turned into biodiesel. The resulting fuel is biodegradable, non-toxic and great for any diesel engine. Best of Boston Phoenix 2009

OK, so you are in Davis Square. Are you hungry? Thirsty? Check, check. Then head on over to busy Elm Street and pop into the Joshua Tree. Tucked inside this Somerville institution you will find a whole lot of food, and a whole lot of booze. Lots of beer on tap and a lively locals conversing with music in the background, does it get better than that? This lively Tufts hangout packs in the crowds with its enormous bar, a proliferation of large flat-screen TVs, and Top 40 hits playing from the DJ booth. The 65-item menu runs the gamut from Southwestern specialties like quesadillas to more traditional and expensive grilled steak. The bar is definitely the main attraction though, so if you're adventurous, try the 83oz beer tappers ($28.50), served in a long glass tube, or show up during any Red Sox game for cheap beer ($2.50 lite drafts) and half-priced appetizers. Sunday brunch 10:30am-3pm. Entrees $7-16. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Located in the Porter Square neighborhood of Cambridge, the Spirit Bar is a friendly, local sports bar with a nice menu and fun staff. The Spirit bar is replete with 6 PLASMAS and the 10 Foot BIG SCREEN for any game you want to see. Regularly showing the Bruins, Celtics, Red Sox, and Patriots, the Spirit Bar is the sports bar to head to in Cambridge. The Spirit Bar prides itself on being a downtown sports bar without the downtown prices. The food is delicious and their full menu is served during the week until 10:30pm and Thursday thru Sunday a late night menu is available until midnight. From the traditional pub grub of wings, beer, and burgers, to more upscale Surf and Turf and pasta dishes, you will get a delicious and affordable meal at the Spirit bar. A Recent Review of the Spirit Bar from the Boston Globe: Back in my day, by which I mean a completely invented past, a sports bar was an indecent place where dentally challenged townies stacked rows of dead soldiers on the bar noon to night. But now, with the Manifest Destiny-like march of sports culture across the Boston dining landscape, things have changed considerably. We're not ordering $15 Randy Mossijtos in novelty mugs just yet, but it can't be far off, can it? Fortunately, those polar opposites of style leave room for a middle ground, and The Spirit Bar (2046 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, 617-868-1555 thespiritbars.com), fills the gap ably. Despite its unassuming take on Irish pub-style bric-a-brac, with tucked-away dining tables and high-top banquettes along the wall, the smallish space still manages to assault the senses with its seven flat-screen televisions dominating the interior. Good news if you're there for a game, not so much for peace and quiet. A recent Saturday afternoon found a group of boisterous UMass basketball fans barking along with their team. Fifteen beers on tap ranging from PBR ($2.75) to 20-oz. Guinness ($5), as well a decent specialty cocktails list, leave plenty of room for decision. The Bailey's Mint (Stoli Vanilla, Three Olives Chocolate, Baileys Mint, $8.50), was a deliciously frothy and creamy drink served in a chocolate syrup-laced glass, while the Razberri Latte (Stoli Raz, Kahlua French Vanilla, Godiva Liquer, $8.50), was a less inspired alcoholic milkshake of sorts. Next time I'll be sure to try the bar special: five bottles and a pound of buffalo wings ($19.95) (Note to self, wear loose pants). Aside from the expected finger food it's obvious Spirit takes pride in its menu - something you can't take for granted at pubs like this. Dishes like the crusty and fluffy arancinis stuffed with beef, carrots, and peas ($9.95) and a 10-oz., center-cut sirloin steak ($16.95) reflect well on the bar's ambition and affordability, proving that there's plenty of room for people interested in both decent drink and food and a gluttonous sports onslaught at once.